The American double Oscar winner broke down in tears in the dock, labeling the claims against him as "madness" and accusing the claimants of "lying for money." The trial was star-studded, with Sir Elton John and his husband David Furnish giving evidence in Spacey's defense.
Spacey, who turned 64 on the day of the verdict, was accused of carrying out nine sex attacks on four men during his time as artistic director of the Old Vic theatre in London. These allegations not only tarnished his showbiz career but also had significant financial implications.
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He was ordered to pay £25.5 million to the producers of House of Cards after being fired from the show. In addition, he incurred at least £1 million in defense fees and was edited out of the film All The Money In The World.
Spacey's acquittal raises the possibility of his return to the screen after being shunned by Hollywood for the past six years. He was one of the highest-profile victims of the Me Too movement, with his world collapsing in 2017 when he was accused of making sexual advances towards actor Anthony Rapp when Rapp was just 14.
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Although Spacey was later cleared of this allegation, it triggered a wave of claims from around 30 men in the United States and Britain. The Old Vic conducted a review that identified alleged inappropriate behavior towards 20 men, but Spacey was never convicted of any criminal offense.
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After a five-year investigation by Scotland Yard, the Crown Prosecution Service charged Spacey with a series of sex attacks on four men between 2001 and 2013. Throughout the trial, Spacey maintained his innocence, claiming that his accusers were motivated by money. One accuser even filed a claim for £500,000 in compensation. The jury, consisting of nine men and three women, deliberated for 12 hours and 26 minutes before delivering their verdict.
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Wearing a dark suit, Spacey wiped away tears with a tissue as the jury cleared him of all charges. Mr. Justice Wall commended the jurors for their handling of the case, acknowledging the pressure they faced due to the significant attention it received.
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The alleged offenses included three indecent assaults and four sexual assaults between 2001 and 2004. Five additional offenses were alleged to have occurred between 2005 and 2013. Spacey's financial situation suffered greatly as the allegations mounted and his acting roles came to a halt. His defense costs for the UK trial alone exceeded £1 million, a figure dwarfed by his U.S. legal fees.
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Furthermore, an arbitrator ruled two years ago that his alleged sexual misconduct constituted a breach of contract, resulting in a £25.5 million payment to the producers of House of Cards. Spacey's appeal to overturn the ruling was unsuccessful, although it is unclear whether he has paid the sum.
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When asked about his financial situation, Spacey revealed that he had no income and still owed money for legal bills. He sold his Los Angeles mansion for £8.5 million shortly before the scandal broke but still owns a £2.5 million penthouse flat in an exclusive London tower block.
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The future of Spacey's involvement with the Old Vic remains uncertain. Prior to the controversy, he had a team of assistants, agents, publicists, managers, personal trainers, and bodyguards. However, in the wake of the scandal, his publicist and agents quit working for him, leaving only his manager, Mr. Lowenstein, who was appointed in 2016.
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